For any frame S and vector A, let [dtdA]S denote the derivative of A relative to S. A frame of reference S′ rotates with constant angular velocity ω with respect to an inertial frame S and the two frames have a common origin O. [You may assume that for any vector A,[dtdA]S=[dtdA]S′+ω×A.]
(a) If r(t) is the position vector of a point P from O, show that
[dt2d2r]S=[dt2d2r]S′+2ω×v′+ω×(ω×r)
where v′=[dtdr]S′ is the velocity in S′.
Suppose now that r(t) is the position vector of a particle of mass m moving under a conservative force F=−∇ϕ and a force G that is always orthogonal to the velocity v′ in S′. Show that the quantity
E=21mv′⋅v′+ϕ−2m(ω×r)⋅(ω×r)
is a constant of the motion. [You may assume that ∇[(ω×r)⋅(ω×r)]=−2ω×(ω×r).]
(b) A bead slides on a frictionless circular hoop of radius a which is forced to rotate with constant angular speed ω about a vertical diameter. Let θ(t) denote the angle between the line from the centre of the hoop to the bead and the downward vertical. Using the results of (a), or otherwise, show that
θ¨+(ag−ω2cosθ)sinθ=0.
Deduce that if ω2>g/a there are two equilibrium positions θ=θ0 off the axis of rotation, and show that these are stable equilibria.